inexperience, tell him my story. Prove to him that it is equally our duty to subdue the querulous humour engendered by disappointment, and to guard against the fastidiousness which is fostered by prosperity. He is born to affluence, forewarn him that a full indulgence of even its innocent gratifica. tions produces satiety, and that satiety ever inclines our vitiated desires to tempt the paths of illicit pleasure. Say, that occasional self-denial, the virtue of warriors and sages, the source of true magnanimity and self-command, exhilirating energetic self-denial, is a prudential as well as a christian precept." His voice faultered while his eyes turned on his best beloved with a look of never dying esteem. "Exemplify your precepts, he continued, "by telling him your own history. Shew him the sanctifying qualities of affliction rightly applied, and bid him to the public duties which his station requires, add those passive virtues most difficult to practise, which are disregarded by common observers, and often misrepresented and traduced, yet so necessary as a check to intemperate thirst for applause, and so consolatory when our best and purest intentions are opposed by a deluded world. Tell him, for you who have proved the truth can explain it with resistless eloquence, that the virtues which are overlooked by man are the best preparations for Heaven." Thus, while his faculties remained unclouded by the slow approaches of death, the illustrious and enlightened carl of Avondel continued to utter the dictates of his long experience to what might be truly term ed his kindred mind. He expired in her arms, and while, in bitterness of anguish, she deplored the he ro's fate, the awakened faith and sincere contrition with which the wanderer sought consolation in the promises of ever-during Mercy, aforded her ineffable consolation. May such be the exit of all who have like him offended! But the conscience of Lord Avondel was not seared, nor his sensibility weakened, nor his understanding degraded, by habitual crimes. He could not glory in his shame, nor justify that in himself which he knew was destructive to the welfare of that country whose prosperity was the first wish of his soul. However guarded by courage, or guided by wisdom, he was convinced England was best defended by the virtues of her off 1 spring, without which a nation must ever be found wanting when weighed in that balance which decides the fate of empires. CHAP. XXXIV. O Death, all eloquent you only prove POFF. THE maternal tenderness of Lady Avondel preserved her from falling a victim to her intense grief, and in time enabled her to listen to the admonitions of her aunt, who, leading her lovely orphan to her embraces, reminded her that he now was Avondel. Yet, though the duties of her exalted station, which Lady Selina told her it would be criminal to re |